Present, past and future of biodiversity in the semi-arid, Brazil: inventories, monitoring and implications

Resumen

The exhibition of geologically diverse landscapes throughout the Brazilian Semiarid has provided a spectacular evolutionary stage for the radiation of a rich biodiversity unparalleled in other arid environments worldwide. Nevertheless, this region has never been included in comparative studies on global dynamics in tropical biomes, being highly vulnerable to historical deforestation and climate change impacts. Over more than 15 years, a network program named PPBIO Semiarid has accumulated valuable knowledge through collaborative efforts among various Brazilian institutions aiming to better understand the flora, fauna, and fungi present in the Caatinga domain. Despite significant achievements, several gaps also remain in the dynamics and evolution of the biodiversity of this region. We are currently focusing on multidisciplinary perspectives supported by new inventories to understand and monitor the flora, fauna, and fungi in different types of Caatinga across geologically distinct soils and implementing systematic analyses of data from previous studies made in that region, standardizing collection protocols, and performing climate change modeling studies in selected taxonomic groups. The relevance of these issues transcends the boundaries of scientific research, extending to the development of conservation public policies based on consistent data (Funding: CNPq).

Citation: Oliveira, P., Oliveira I.L.C., Torres, D.S.C., Dórea, M.C., Funch, L.S., Queiroz, L.P., Cardoso, D.B.S.O., Gusmão L.F.P., Vasconcelos, R.N., Pérez, T.C., Santos, A.V., Santos, A.C.A., Pessoa, M.S. & Silva, E.N. 2025. Present, past and future of biodiversity in the semi-arid, Brazil: inventories, monitoring and implications. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 46(Número especial 1): 130.

Trabajo presentado en el XIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica. Modalidad de Poster.